Company, Aug 16.
Day 48, Aug 16, Toronto, KS.
Today is a rest day. Ahh. I felt the need to move the legs beyond just walking so I put in a couple hours on the GO taking some miles off tomorrow (I’ve noticed that the Elliptigo community refers to the sport as GOing). I could subtitle this project “GOing across America” I guess? Even more economical, “GOing XC”? How about “GOing for Recovery”?
Today was mostly a bit of maintenance/repair work, sitting about the quiet, empty campground by Toronto Lake with Beth, (we are about one of 10 campers in a complex that can house about 250 - school has started!), and taking walks.
We said goodbye to a new friend who joined us the last couple days riding and at the campsites. Jay from Pittsburgh is a very accomplished long distance cycler crossing the country now for the 3rd time as he heads back home. We intersected on the road, found we had several experiences in common, and that we had a very similar riding pace for these long events. We shared a grievous loss that binds souls together. We will miss Jay’s presence, his self-deprecating humor, many stories and graceful conversation. Our dog Loki will miss her new friend who told her convincingly “you’re the best dog in the world” as he slathered her with affectionate head rubs and playful wrestling.
You know, we all need someone to say to us convincingly, “you’re the best dog in the world” don’t we? Regardless of our roles, our positions, our titles, our perceived independence, we need this. To all those in the battle to free themselves from substance dependence, I’d like to say, “you are the bravest person in the world”. To the family member who fights for their loved one to be free, “you are the strongest person I know”. Perhaps instead InJoelSteps should be subtitled, and perhaps I should live by, “GOing with encouragement”. I think I’ll try.
Addiction is a treatable brain disease that disables decision-making.
InJoelSteps.com
